Missouri (MO)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research Missouri notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Missouri notary details against the official state database.
Visit Missouri Official Notary Database
How to Research a Missouri Notary
1. Go to https://s1.sos.mo.gov/business/notary/search/notarysearch.aspx
2. Enter at least two of: first name, last name, county (or use commission number alone).
3. Click Submit and verify the commission number, county, and expiration date match.
2. Enter at least two of: first name, last name, county (or use commission number alone).
3. Click Submit and verify the commission number, county, and expiration date match.
How to Verify a Missouri Notary's Signature
Missouri notaries file their oath of office and signature specimen directly with the Secretary of State.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Missouri Secretary of State's office to request confirmation of the notary's commission and filed signature.
2. The SOS maintains oaths and official signatures for all active Missouri notaries.
Contact: (573) 751-2783 or toll-free (866) 223-6535 (Option 3)
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Missouri Secretary of State's office to request confirmation of the notary's commission and filed signature.
2. The SOS maintains oaths and official signatures for all active Missouri notaries.
Contact: (573) 751-2783 or toll-free (866) 223-6535 (Option 3)
Verifying Older Missouri Documents
The Missouri SOS online search only returns currently commissioned notaries.
1. Contact the Missouri Secretary of State directly for historical commission records — they maintain the oath and signature files.
2. Provide the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
Contact: (573) 751-2783 or toll-free (866) 223-6535 (Option 3)
Commission term: 4 years.
1. Contact the Missouri Secretary of State directly for historical commission records — they maintain the oath and signature files.
2. Provide the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
Contact: (573) 751-2783 or toll-free (866) 223-6535 (Option 3)
Commission term: 4 years.
Missouri Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Missouri requires every notary to use a seal on notarized documents. Either an engraved embosser or a black-inked rubber stamp is permitted.
Stamp requirements (RSMo § 486.285):
- Type: Engraved embosser seal or black-inked rubber stamp
- Must include: Notary's name exactly as on commission, "Notary Seal", "Notary Public", "State of Missouri", commission number
- All text must be in print not smaller than 8-point type
- No specific shape or size mandated by statute
- The seal must not be applied in a manner that renders the document illegible or incapable of photographic reproduction
Stamp requirements (RSMo § 486.285):
- Type: Engraved embosser seal or black-inked rubber stamp
- Must include: Notary's name exactly as on commission, "Notary Seal", "Notary Public", "State of Missouri", commission number
- All text must be in print not smaller than 8-point type
- No specific shape or size mandated by statute
- The seal must not be applied in a manner that renders the document illegible or incapable of photographic reproduction
Contacting a Missouri Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Missouri — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Missouri requires notaries to maintain a permanently bound journal with numbered pages to create and preserve a chronological record of all notarizations (RSMo §§ 486.700, 486.705). The journal must be kept for at least 10 years from the date of the last entry.
Right to inspect:
- The journal may be examined and copied without restriction by a law enforcement officer in the course of an official investigation (RSMo § 486.710(1)).
- The journal may be subpoenaed by court order or pursuant to subpoena power as authorized by law (RSMo § 486.710(1)).
- The journal may be surrendered at the direction of the Secretary of State (RSMo § 486.710(1)).
- The notary may seek appropriate judicial protective orders to limit disclosure (RSMo § 486.710(2)).
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date and time of notarization, type of notarial act, full name and address of each signatory, description and signature of each signer in the journal.
- Identification information: type of identification document, issuing agency, serial or identification number, and date of issuance or expiration. If identified by credible witness, the handwritten signature, name, and address of the witness, along with the witness's identification details if the witness is not personally known to the notary (RSMo § 486.705).
- Fee charged (if any) and address where the notarial act was performed (if not the notary's regular place of work or business).
- Note: Social Security numbers and full credit card numbers must not be recorded in the journal (RSMo § 486.705(4)).
Fees for copies:
- The notary may charge not more than $1.00 per copy (RSMo § 486.710(3)).
- For certified copies, the fee is as specified in RSMo § 486.685.
Key considerations:
- Retention period: At least 10 years from the date of the last entry (RSMo § 486.715(1)).
- Upon commission expiry, resignation, or revocation: The notary must destroy or deface all notary seals as soon as reasonably practicable. Within 30 days after the effective date of resignation, revocation, or expiration, the journal and notarial records must be delivered to the Secretary of State by any means providing a tangible receipt, including certified mail and electronic transmission (RSMo §§ 486.795, 486.715(4)).
- Upon death of the notary: The journal and notarial records shall be delivered to the Secretary of State by the notary's personal representative or estate (RSMo § 486.795(2)).
- Thumbprint: Missouri does not require thumbprints in notary journals.
- Contact: Missouri Secretary of State Notaries & Commissions Unit — Toll-free: (866) 223-6535, Phone: (573) 751-2783
Relevant statutes: RSMo §§ 486.700, 486.705, 486.710, 486.715, 486.795
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Missouri requires notaries to maintain a permanently bound journal with numbered pages to create and preserve a chronological record of all notarizations (RSMo §§ 486.700, 486.705). The journal must be kept for at least 10 years from the date of the last entry.
Right to inspect:
- The journal may be examined and copied without restriction by a law enforcement officer in the course of an official investigation (RSMo § 486.710(1)).
- The journal may be subpoenaed by court order or pursuant to subpoena power as authorized by law (RSMo § 486.710(1)).
- The journal may be surrendered at the direction of the Secretary of State (RSMo § 486.710(1)).
- The notary may seek appropriate judicial protective orders to limit disclosure (RSMo § 486.710(2)).
What can be requested:
- Journal entry details: date and time of notarization, type of notarial act, full name and address of each signatory, description and signature of each signer in the journal.
- Identification information: type of identification document, issuing agency, serial or identification number, and date of issuance or expiration. If identified by credible witness, the handwritten signature, name, and address of the witness, along with the witness's identification details if the witness is not personally known to the notary (RSMo § 486.705).
- Fee charged (if any) and address where the notarial act was performed (if not the notary's regular place of work or business).
- Note: Social Security numbers and full credit card numbers must not be recorded in the journal (RSMo § 486.705(4)).
Fees for copies:
- The notary may charge not more than $1.00 per copy (RSMo § 486.710(3)).
- For certified copies, the fee is as specified in RSMo § 486.685.
Key considerations:
- Retention period: At least 10 years from the date of the last entry (RSMo § 486.715(1)).
- Upon commission expiry, resignation, or revocation: The notary must destroy or deface all notary seals as soon as reasonably practicable. Within 30 days after the effective date of resignation, revocation, or expiration, the journal and notarial records must be delivered to the Secretary of State by any means providing a tangible receipt, including certified mail and electronic transmission (RSMo §§ 486.795, 486.715(4)).
- Upon death of the notary: The journal and notarial records shall be delivered to the Secretary of State by the notary's personal representative or estate (RSMo § 486.795(2)).
- Thumbprint: Missouri does not require thumbprints in notary journals.
- Contact: Missouri Secretary of State Notaries & Commissions Unit — Toll-free: (866) 223-6535, Phone: (573) 751-2783
Relevant statutes: RSMo §§ 486.700, 486.705, 486.710, 486.715, 486.795
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.